Have you ever encountered grocery moths in your closet? We don't know what's worse - the tiny flying things crawling out of your food or their tiny worm-like larvae hiding in flour and grains! Terrible! However, there are ways to deal with them. In this article we will tell you how you can fight grocery moths with home remedies and also give you some useful tips for prevention!
Where do food moths come from?
Typically, grocery moths are common household pests that enter your home through your recent purchases. The packaging of products can become soiled during transport to the supermarket or even during storage on the shelves.
Foods like flour and dry food are an ideal place for these moths because they are not used often on a daily basis. It is not uncommon for these products to be left unattended for months, providing the perfect temperature and habitat for moth larvae eggs to hatch.
Because they are so tiny and hide well, grocery moths can go unnoticed and you probably won't discover them until you see an adult moth lurking in the corners of your kitchen.
What are the warning signs of moth infestation?
If you're looking for signs of an infestation, look for larvae in food packaging of flours, starches and grains. Another obvious sign is if you find webs on the outside of the packaging, especially in the corners where the food is stored. In addition, they leave behind a noticeably unpleasant smell due to the secretion they release. If you notice any of these signs, it's time to take the necessary steps to combat pantry moths with home remedies.
Food moth eggs are common in:
- Muesli and grains
- Dried herbs
- Flour
- Noodles
- sweets
- Pet food
- Nuts
- Powdered milk
If your pantry is plagued by grocery moths, you need to take immediate action. A female moth can lay up to 400 eggs, making your food even more vulnerable once the eggs hatch. Fortunately, you can control food moths with home remedies and they are just as effective as chemical insecticides, although they are safer to use around food. Follow these steps and successfully get rid of the pests in your kitchen!
Step 1: Empty your pantry and throw away infested foods:It is very important that you quickly find the infected food, bag it and throw it in the container outside. If you throw them in the kitchen trash can, they run the risk of escaping and spreading again. Never try to store infested food because where there is an infestation, there are certainly eggs hidden that can spread to other foods in your pantry. Just throw them all away!
Step 2: Vacuum the Pantry:Vacuum the shelves, floor, and walls of the pantry to remove any eggs that may be inside. Replace the vacuum cleaner bag immediately and throw away the old bag in a sealed plastic bag.
Step 3: Wash the shelves and cabinet walls with a vinegar solution:Thoroughly scrub your pantry with warm, soapy water, then spray on a 50/50 solution of warm water and white vinegar. This will kill any remaining larvae.
Tip 4: Use natural repellents like bay leaves:Bay leaves give off a pungent smell that is an excellent natural repellent and is sure to deter food moths from nesting and lurking. To increase effectiveness, scatter some bay leaves in strategic places in the pantry where you suspect an infestation.
- Tipp: You can also sprinkle cinnamon, black pepper, peppermint or coriander on the shelves. These all-natural ingredients repel moths and prevent them from infesting your food again.
Step 5: Restock the Shelves:Wash any jars or cans you put back in the pantry in hot, soapy water.
- Notice: Finally, wash your kitchen trash can thoroughly.
Useful tips for preventing moths
Check food packaging before purchasing: When you're grocery shopping, take a moment to wiggle the packaging to see if it's hiding any scary pests. Transparent packaging is much easier to check, but it is more difficult for packaging that is not transparent. Look for pests near the openings.
Shop wisely: Buy a reasonable amount of dry or grain products that you can expect to use within a few weeks.
Store dry foods in airtight containers: To prevent an infestation, it is always a good idea to remove grains or dry goods from their original packaging and store them in airtight, glass or stainless steel containers. This also extends the shelf life.
What else can you do to control meal moths and protect supplies?You can find out here!
